title: Association between human immunodeficiency virus and herpes simplex virus type 2 seropositivity among male factory workers in Zimbabwe.
abstract: To determine the seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), to identify correlates of infection, and to describe the correlation with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositivity, 224 HIV-negative and 191 HIV-positive male factory workers in Zimbabwe were screened for HSV-2-specific antibodies. HSV-2 seroprevalence was 35.7% among HIV-negative subjects and 82.7% among HIV-positive subjects. The weighted estimate of HSV-2 seroprevalence in this population is 44.6%. The correlation between HIV and HSV-2 remained significant after controlling for multiple sex partners, paying for sex, and history of sexually transmitted disease (adjusted odds ratio, 8.0; 95% confidence interval, 4.8-13.1). If the association between HSV-2 and HIV is causal, then the high seroprevalence of HIV and HSV-2 suggests that suppressive HSV-2 treatment should be considered as a strategy to reduce HIV transmission in this population. HSV-2 seroconversion may be a suitable surrogate end point to evaluate HIV prevention interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, University of Zimbabwe, Harare.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gwanzura
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: McFarland
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Katzenstein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D015897:Comorbidity; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications*; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral